PREFACE 



Oceanography is not a science, but rather it is 

 the magnificent combination of all otner sciences 

 that are in any way applicable to the watery seven 

 tenths of our planet. Just as the study of the 

 oceans unifies all the sciences, so too has the 

 lexicon of oceanography become a unification of 

 those of such diverse fields as physiology, acoustics, 

 invertebrate ecology, geology, hydrodynamics, and 

 organic chemistry to name only a few. With this uni- 

 ficlation - this polygamous marriage of the specialized 

 languages of many sciences - has come the very real 

 problem of communication among those who deal with 

 the ocean. 



Ten years ago there were so few people concerned 

 with oceanography that they could talk the same lan- 

 guage to each other and no one else was concerned. 

 Today, however, interest in our global sea has reached 

 national proportions. With this has come increased 

 support for -an intensified effort to learn about the 

 sea for a variety of reasons This in turn has brought 

 into the field many companies, scientists, engineers, 

 and technicians to whom at least part of the language 

 of oceanography is new. This book is for those people. 

 It is also for those with any interest in the sea and 

 for those who want to understand them. 



The need for such a glossary has long been felt. 

 Many have urged that it be undertaken, but all were 

 staggered by the enormity of the task. Lee Hunt and 

 Don Groves also felt the need. They were also stag- 

 gered by the task, but they have accomplished it. 

 They themselves admit that this is just a beginning, 

 but it is a good one and a highly useful one, and 

 oceanography will be in their debt until a large team 

 representing many specialities and working for many 

 years does a better job. In the meantime this glossary 

 of the terms of ocean science and technology will be 

 the standard handbook and will be found on the desk 

 of every oceanographer, marine engineer, and technician 

 engaged in any aspect of finding out about or working 

 with the ocean. It will also be found on the book- 

 shelves of the many who are merely fascinated by the 

 ocean and want to read and learn all they can about it. 



Harris B. Stewart, Jr. 



Deputy Assistant Director 



Office of Oceanography 



S. Coast and Geodetic Survey 



